Friday, February 11, 2011

You weren't a true '80s kid if you didn't play with Shrinky Dinks. These cool arts and crafts kits came with colored pencils and thin flexible sheets of plastic cut-out style figures. Once cut, the figures could be filled in or designed with colored pencils and then baked.

I remember how thrilling it was when Mom would flip on the oven light allowing us to witness the shrinking action. We'd watched the plastic melt before our eyes and take on a smaller, thicker shape. Like magic, the color would remain intact. I loved the feel of the texture of the Shrinky Dink once it was cooled.

I especially enjoyed making Shrinky Dinks Christmas tree ornaments and charms -- but it was important to make sure the whole was punctured BEFORE baking, otherwise you were screwed. It was impossible to break through the hardened plastic once baked.

I only did these once over at a friends house. Mine had a doggie on it and I'm pretty sure it glowed in the dark. My brother and I were more into the Make It Bake. I'm not sure if that is considered sun catchers or stained glass window type ornaments - maybe both.

I remember those! But here's the stupid thing. I always thought they were for boys because of the name. It just seemed like a potty-mouthed name to me and so I only envisioned boys playing with them. Instead, I made those little stained glass window catchers with the coloured plastic beads that you poured in the frame and then baked. - G